Xi and Tibet -- footprints and blueprint for a green future

BLUEPRINT FOR GREEN DEVELOPMENT

Since 1978, the CPC Central Committee has held seven symposiums on Tibet, making major decisions and plans for the region.

Entering the new era following the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core has attached great importance to the development of Tibet, and Xi has set the direction and made overall plans for the region, drawing up the blueprint for future development.

He presided over the sixth and seventh central symposiums on Tibet work, defining guiding principles, objectives and tasks in the new era. It was decided at the meetings that the central government would support a number of key construction projects in Tibet, and a series of special preferential policies were enacted.

At the seventh central symposium on Tibet work held last year, Xi expounded on "the guidelines for governing Tibet in the new era," with "prioritizing ecological protection" as an important part of the "10 musts" for advancing the region's development.

"Conserving the ecology of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the greatest contribution to the survival and development of the Chinese nation," Xi said.

This focus on green development was reiterated during his July visit.

Xi emphasized the four major issues of stability, development, ecology and border-area consolidation, and called for new achievements in protecting the ecology on the plateau and advancing its sustainable development.

While visiting the Nyang River Bridge, Xi urged the local authorities to effectively protect the region's "vegetation, living creatures, waters and mountains."

"Next, it is our bounden duty to protect the plateau region," said Dradul, head of Nyingchi's forestry and grassland bureau, who briefed Xi on the local government's eco-protection work along the Yarlung Zangbo and Nyang rivers.

"We will endeavor to effectively protect the lush vegetation here, and ensure people will be surrounded by green wherever they venture," Dradul added.